Gate system enforced on narrow routes to streamline traffic
Monday, 13 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN/UTTARKASHI
The police on Sunday appealed to devotees to postpone their pilgrimage to the Yamunotri shrine in Uttarkashi district for the day. The police made this appeal because the number of devotees visiting the shrine had already reached its capacity. The authorities intervened after pictures and videos of a large crowd on the bridle path to Yamunotri went viral on Saturday citing a danger to the safety of devotees in case of a stampede. The Uttarakhand police made the appeal to the people through X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook on Sunday and stated, “Today, enough devotees have reached the Yamunotri shrine, reaching its capacity. Sending more devotees now would be risky. It is a humble appeal to all devotees planning their Yatra to postpone it for today.” According to the officials, the police made the appeal to ensure the safety of the devotees. The police had also stopped the vehicles near the Jankichatti area as the parking spaces were already full due to the rush. The police again posted on X and Facebook in the evening that the situation was under control and the pilgrims could resume their pilgrimage to Yamunotri again. The post stated, “The pilgrimage is going smoothly again. The traffic is being run through the gate and one way system at sensitive and narrow places between Paligad and Jankichatti on the Yamunotri route for safe and smooth operation of traffic. All devotees should travel with a raincoat, umbrella, warm clothes and other necessary items considering the rainy season in Dham and nearby high altitude areas. Pilgrims can resume their journey. Uttarakhand Police wishes you a safe and enjoyable journey.” Earlier, the Uttarkashi superintendent of police Arpan Yaduvanshi also inspected traffic and safety arrangements on the Yatra routes late on Saturday. He also interacted with pilgrims on the route and informed them that they might have to face traffic issues on some narrow and vulnerable routes. The police will ensure smooth traffic on such routes in Gangotri and Yamunotri using the gate system. The police have also been offering refreshments to people stuck in traffic for a long time. The officials said that police are consistently working to ensure that no devotee faces any inconvenience due to the rush and endangers their safety.
